Coo - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT coo /ku/ /ku/ IPA guide

Other forms: cooing; cooed; coos

A coo is the low, sweet sound that a bird makes, especially a dove or pigeon. If a dove builds a nest outside your open window, you'll be able to hear its coos every morning.

There is a small, gray pigeon that's called a mourning dove because its coo is so sad sounding. When you hear a bird making this distinctive sound, you can also say that it coos — and if a person murmurs in a low, soft voice, you can say that she coos too. The word coo has been used since at least the late 1600s, and its origin is probably imitative, the word sounding very much like the sound it describes.

Definitions of coo

noun the sound made by a pigeon see moresee less type of: cry the characteristic utterance of an animal
verb cry softly, as of pigeons see moresee less type of: emit, let loose, let out, utter express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
verb speak softly or lovingly “The mother who held her baby was cooing softly” see moresee less type of: murmur speak softly or indistinctly

Pronunciation US /ku/ UK /ku/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘coo'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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